An algebraic analysis of bore hole samples

Quadratic cylinders are considered as models for strata occurring along linear fault lines. The question as to whether the cylinder can be recovered from the curve of intersection with the surface of a bore hole sample is then addressed. Basic techniques from algebraic geometry are used to show that there are at most two irreducible quadratic cylinders having the same bounded but infinite intersection with the surface of a right circular cylinder and each of the two is uniquely determined from the other.